Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!
This week we caught up with Helen Lawson!
What club do you play for or coach?
I play for Blackburn.
How did you discover goalball?
Shortly after losing my sight in 2015, I went along to a VI Tennis taster session in Manchester. I met some players from the VI Bees there and they encouraged me to go along to goalball. I did and after just 2 training sessions I was making my debut in a Goalball UK tournament in Leeds! Goalball really helped me to ‘get out of the door’. Certainly, travelling on public transport took me out of my comfort zone but the confidence I have gained from goalball has led to me getting involved in lots of other things.
Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood? Or anything you’re loving at the moment?
I don’t tend to listen to music before a tournament but, at home, I enjoy listening to audiobooks. At the moment I am listening to ‘The Clan of the Cave Bear’. I also sometimes listen to ‘chill out’ music to help me relax before going to sleep.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
I double check that I have got everything I need and, because of my medical condition, make sure that someone knows where my bag is in case of an emergency.
Do you have a favourite post-match meal?
I like a chicken curry – but not too hot!
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
Lois Turner because she is an excellent sportswoman and has given me lots of advice and encouragement.
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I play VI cricket and do acoustic rifle shooting. I also do activities such as climbing and curling (with Galloways Society for the Blind) and have been on a couple of water sports holidays – I really enjoyed windsurfing and sailing. I volunteer with Scouts and also VI Talk. I like to knit and crochet and have taught other visually impaired people how too.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
My grandad was from Australia – so that makes me a quarter Australian – so I would definitely like to go to there to visit family. I would also like to go to Los Angeles to visit my brother.